The Cannon Fodder in Quick Transmigration Refuses the Usual Path

Chapter 498: The Cannon Fodder Mother of the Son of Destiny 12

"Miss Shen, I beg you, save my big brother!"

Accompanied by the Xie Family Head, a group of people hurriedly arrived at the small courtyard with the injured person. Inside the courtyard, An Ning was currently sparring in swordsmanship with Third Young Master Xie—no, at this point it could hardly be called a spar anymore; it was more accurate to describe it as a one-sided beating.

In just a short while, the person before her had gained no fewer than a dozen new wounds on his sleeves, shoulders, and even his legs.

At this moment, his moon-white silver-edged flowing-pattern robe was covered with marks left by sword energy from their earlier exchange, and one of his sleeves had been cleanly sliced off from the middle.

The only part of him that remained relatively unscathed was his face.

In short, the pitiful state he was in was so severe that even Xiao Yi, who was watching and contemplating from the side, couldn't bear to look directly.

*Sigh, I can't understand it. Why insist on competing with Auntie? Wouldn't it be better to fight with me?*

Gripping the newly acquired spirit sword in his hand, Xiao Yi couldn't help but feel eager to try...

However, very soon, the three of them had no time to dwell on these matters.

"This is... the Eldest Young Master?"Hearing the commotion, An Ning quickly sheathed her Green Rainbow sword. Recognizing this blood-soaked figure, she instinctively glanced towards the disheveled and hastily approaching Xie Xuan beside her.

*Hmm, if my memory serves me correctly, according to the original owner's memories, aside from the grandson of the Second Elder, wasn't the first one to meet misfortune in the Xie Family supposed to be this Third Young Master Xie?*

*What is this, the butterfly effect?*

*Well, considering how much he's been spurred on these past few years, spending most of his daily time on cultivation and practicing the sword...*

*He rarely even steps out the main gate on ordinary days. Hmm, it's normal he managed to narrowly escape calamity.*

But that wasn't the important thing right now. Her gaze lingered for a moment on the Eldest Young Master Xie, who was on his last breath, barely kept alive by elixirs. An Ning quickly retrieved a medicine bottle from her jade storage ring, took out a pill, and handed it to the person beside her to feed to him.

Thanks to the Xie Family's support with spiritual medicines these past few years, her stock of elixirs wasn't small. Giving away one mid-grade Yuan Restoration Pill now didn't hurt too much.

Sure enough, with the boost from this third-grade mid-grade pill and the assistance of An Ning's silver needles, the Young Master Xie's complexion improved somewhat after a short while.

Seeing this, everyone's expressions relaxed a little.

Yet, even as they felt relieved, the grave seriousness on the faces of the Xie Family members did not fade in the slightest.

"Thank you, Miss Shen, for lending a hand and saving my son's life!"

In less than an hour, the originally handsome face of Family Head Xie now bore traces of weariness. He immediately bowed deeply in a heavy salute.

Behind him, Madam Xie also forced herself to stand firm.

"Thank you, Miss Shen. If you ever have any needs in the future, our Xie Family will certainly step forward without hesitation..."

"You are too kind, Madam!"

Leaving behind a prescription for recuperation, An Ning soon left, taking the equally worried Xiao Yi with her.

Just using one's toes to think, one would know what it meant for the Xie Family's legitimate son, and the Young Master at that, to be ambushed?

Those wounds, that ruthless and merciless method... it could only be said that the Xuanming Cult wasn't even planning to pretend anymore at this point.

If it weren't for the fact that over the years, An Ning had casually refined some pills and left a small portion for the Xie Family as a token of thanks for their spiritual medicines, which barely managed to keep this Young Master's life hanging on in time...

He would have ended up like Third Young Master Xie in her previous life—dead beyond dead.

However, a Young Master was ultimately different from a legitimate son without inheritance rights.

It seemed this time, the calamity for the Xie Family was definitely going to arrive much earlier than in her previous life...

After comforting the somewhat listless little Xiao Yi, before bed, An Ning couldn't help but pick up Green Rainbow again.

*I wonder if my current strength is enough to go a round with that Xuanming Sect Leader...*

***

The current Xie Family Head shared the same thought. The first thing he did upon returning was to activate the mountain-protecting formation.

Inside the council hall, Family Head Xie wore a grave expression.

"To deliver such a fatal blow to the family's legitimate Young Master is essentially declaring a feud to the death. Being so blatant, it's likely only a matter of time before a large-scale invasion.

Second Uncle, from this moment on, summon all our family disciples outside to return home immediately. They must not linger outside to avoid falling victim.

Zichu, Ling'er, if that day truly comes, you must take all disciples who have not yet reached Foundation Establishment and retreat to the back mountain. Remember to change into ordinary clothes. If, by any chance, the formation cannot hold, remember to leave immediately without delay.

And Ze'er... your elder brother is severely injured. You two must remember to take good care of him."

"Father..."

Knowing their father's intentions, the Fourth Young Master and his sister frantically shook their heads. Their answer was Family Head Xie's stern reprimand, carrying both kindness and authority.

"Be obedient!"

Witnessing this scene from nearby, Xie Xuan's narrow eyelids twitched slightly for a moment before quickly returning to normal.

With Family Head Xie's successive orders, the originally tranquil mountain was instantly disrupted. Even An Ning was asked if she wanted to hide in the back mountain along with the Fourth Young Master and the others.

The answer was naturally no.

Not to mention her confidence in her own formation, the Xie Family had invested no small amount of spiritual treasures into this formation over the years.

Even if, by any chance, something went wrong, with her current cultivation level, she could simply take her nephew and flee.

As for her final trump card... it would be best not to use it unless absolutely necessary...

But to flee before the enemy even arrives would make her seem so heartless and ungrateful, ahem, so lacking in style!

However, it must be said that seeing Miss Shen so calm and composed at this moment undoubtedly gave Family Head Xie a bit more confidence.

Everything proceeded in an orderly and busy manner...

As for Xiao Yi, during such tense times, the clan school was definitely not going to be open. He no longer played with his little friends either, spending his free time holed up in the small courtyard practicing his sword.

Even his usual favorite treats—fragrant fruit sweets, crab roe pastries, osmanthus candy, spirit jade cakes, jujube paste and yam pastries... and so on—temporarily held no appeal for him.

Three years had passed. The little boy who used to wear a small ponytail and still had baby fat on his cheeks had not only grown much taller but had also shed his earlier restlessness and anxiety. His peach blossom eyes, similar to the original owner's, had become increasingly clear and bright.

A red phoenix-feather robe, combined with his lively temperament, made him radiate a brilliant, youthful vigor.

Unlike now, where even the slightly upturned cowlick on his head seemed on the verge of drooping, and the longsword in his hand carried an indescribable sharpness.

Having vaguely guessed some of his thoughts, under the pear tree, An Ning casually picked up a piece of crab roe pastry from the table and spoke as if offhandedly.

"Xiao Yi, are you feeling uneasy and guilty because of your father?"

"No!"

Hearing the familiar tone, Xiao Yi outside the courtyard hurriedly shook his head, the speed almost turning his head into a rattle drum.

He knew that one of the things Auntie hated most was people who were prone to taking responsibility upon themselves.

That was wrong.

Thinking this, Xiao Yi nimbly ran forward and diligently began massaging the shoulders of the person before him. "Auntie, don't worry, I know. Although that man is my biological father, I don't owe him anything. Everyone knows that except for the first two years after I was born, I haven't used a single thing from the Xuanming Cult.

What does their karma have to do with me?

If one day, someone comes to trouble me because of this, I won't be polite."

Looking down at the red phoenix robe he wore that repelled summer heat, the top-grade jade pendant hanging at his waist said to withstand three strikes from a peak Foundation Establishment cultivator, and the life-saving pills and talismans inside his jade ring...

The nine-year-old Xiao Yi became even more resolute.

Auntie has spent so much effort on me; I'm super precious now!

And in the future, I'm going to create even more, even better magical artifacts for Auntie and Master...

"Auntie, don't worry. Sooner or later, I will definitely get revenge for you and Mother!"

In the morning light, the red-robed youth's tone was firm.

Under the pear tree not far away, An Ning's eyes curved slightly as she rewardingly patted the little fellow's head.

*Good. I don't expect to completely straighten him out, but progress is good.*

Xiao Yi couldn't help but chuckle and repeatedly raised his hand in assurance.

In the following days, after being warned not to be overly eager for quick success, the small courtyard soon regained its usual tranquility.

Family Head Xie's prediction that day was correct. Less than two days after Eldest Young Master Xie returned severely injured, dozens of sword lights were seen simultaneously slashing straight towards the sky from the foot of the mountain!

Sensing something amiss, the Xie Family members inside the formation, who had long been prepared, all drew their weapons...

At the same time, through the system, An Ning's gaze couldn't help but fall on the person leading the charge.